It was one of the boldest world record attempts in Diamond League history.
When Josh Kerr announced back in March that he was hoping to break the mile world record in London, many raised eyebrows.
The record had stood unbeaten for 27 years since 1999, when Hicham El Guerrouj clocked 3:43.13.
Kerr, meanwhile, was only the sixth fastest miler in history, with a PB over two seconds slower than El Guerrouj’s mark.
Yet the confident Scot was determined. And on an eardrum-bursting Saturday afternoon in London, he delivered.
Kerr’s preparation – from ice baths to custom spikes – had been the talk of the town ahead of the Novuna London Athletics Meet.
On the start line of the penultimate race of the afternoon, the British star looked calm. Soon, though, the London Stadium would go wild.
Kerr’s 800m split was well ahead of world record time at 1:51.1, and the crowd quickly cottoned on that the record may be on.
As he raced away from Yared Nuguse on the final lap, the 60,000-capacity arena roared him on into the history books.
As he crossed the line, the Wanda Diamond League’s Official Timekeeper OMEGA clocked Kerr in at 3:42.66.
He had obliterated El Guerrouj’s record and become the first man in history to break the 3:43 barrier.
“The last lap was incredible. I was deaf in the last 110 metres,” he said.
“It is very overwhelming. There was a lot of hype. I am surrounded by amazing people, so I have continued to put the work in, so I knew I had a 3:42 in me. I nearly lost it there at the end, but I got over the line.”
If I am to leave my mark on the sport, as a British athlete with the legends I have behind me, to follow in those footsteps, I have to deliver those performances.”
